Air Force helicopter crash lands during relief distribution; The President hails pilot for saving lives.

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An Air Force MI-17 helicopter crash landed due to a technical glitch in a swamp at Baddegama this morning.

Air force Media Spokesman, Group Captain Gihan Senevirathna said the helicopter was on its way to supply food and other essential items for residents trapped in a village in Baddegama that had been flooded.

11 airmen were on board however no casualties were reported.

Following the accident, President Maithripala Sirisena spoke, by phone, to the pilot, Bhanuka Del-gaha-goda and praised him for his bravery and for the skilful manner in which he dealt with the situation, that could have potentially been disastrous.